Fall 2008 Orientation & Check-In

The International Center provides an orientation to give new international students essential information regarding their stay at MU. You are required to check in and attend orientation. There are a number of benefits to attending:

• Meet the staff of the International Center as well as other international and American students
• Gain helpful information regarding your visa type and how to remain in legal immigration status
• Learn more about Columbia and how to get involved with student life on campus
• Receive information on how to get a student ID, complete your health check-in, finalize housing arrangements, and more.

Other events to aid in your transition to MU (shopping trips, social gatherings, and informational workshops) are offered throughout the week of orientation, but you can decide whether or not you want to participate in these events.

• Fall 2008 Check-In
• Fall 2008 New International Student Orientation (full schedule coming soon!)
• English Language Exam for Undergraduate Students
• International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)
• International Student Welcome Guide

Fall 2008 Check-In

If you arrive in Columbia before or after orientation, you may check in at the the International Center. We will have check-in sessions:

• July 21 - August 22
  Monday thru Friday, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  The International Center (N52 Memorial Union)
  ** Extended check-in sessions on: Friday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 19.
• August 18, 2008 - during orientation.

When you check-in you will need your:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• I-94 (given to you when your arrive in the US)
• Graduate assistantship offer letter (sample ), if applicable

In addition, you will be required to complete a check-in form. On that form, you will be asked to provide the name, address and phone number of someone in your home country and in the U.S. whom we may notify in case of emergency.

Transfer student note: It may take several days after you check-in to receive your new I-20.

Fall 2008 New International Student Orientation

Monday, August 18
Full schedule of events coming soon!

• Undergraduates will attend August Orientation (a Summer Welcome make-up) in the morning. Check-in at the Life Sciences Center from 7:45 - 8:30 am. More to details to come in your e-mail.
• Graduate students will attend the Graduate School Orientation in the morning. Events begin at 8:30 am in Jesse Hall.
• All international students will meet together for lunch in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union at 12:00.
• International orientation sessions will then occur throughout the afternoon. Expect to be finished by 5:00 pm.

If you are unable to attend orientation due to visa delays, please contact our office and plan to attend the make-up orientation session on Wednesday, September 3 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in Jesse Wrench Auditorium, Memorial Union South.

Please know that you must check-in and attend orientation or you will be in violation of your visa status. Also, students arriving at MU after the start of classes (which is August 25) must contact their department to confirm that arriving late is alright with the department.

English Language Exam for Undergraduate Students

All new degree-seeking international undergraduate students are required to take the MU English Language Exam before they register for classes. For the Fall Semester 2008, the exam will be given at 8:00 am on Tuesday, August 19 or Thursday, August 21. You must sign up for the exam either at the new student orientation on August 18, or you may go to the ELSP Office in Room 208 McReynolds Hall.

International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)

New international graduate students who have a teaching assistantship (TA) for the Fall Semester 2008 are required to attend the Orientation for New International Teaching Assistants. Most new international students, however, will not begin teaching in their first semester. For more information about the International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP), visit their website.